Eileen Burlingame
To know Kay Gibson was to have shared endless moments of laughter from the telling of our 'True Stories', embarrassing faux pas, ungraceful tumbles, etc. The times when events were serious , sad, or heartbreaking, you were there trying to comfort. That sharing of yourself with our lives created such a rare camaraderie of a deep friendship between the five of us terrific Ladies --- i.e., on days when we 'behaved like ladies' ! A special bond of love between us grew -- even though we ALL possessed strong opinions & convictions, sans the 'fisticuffs', we learned to respect each other, how to agree to disagree, & Kay, you were right in there stressing your beliefs & teaching us other ways to look at things. We grew quiet during those moments when you put on your 'Professor Hat' & gave us 'what for'--- while we giggled carefully....you would let us you know where we stood with you, that's for sure! Cracked us up in your 'delivery' at times --- but we ALL participated at different times in dishing out our own "I'll give you 'What For'" moments!
We met each other as members of the St. Clair Garden Club for more years than I can remember, which is how we got our Club's name: "THE GREEN GIRLS". After 5 or 6 years as a member, sadly, I had to resign my membership, as I had moved quite a distance north. The trip down to the meetings had become unsafe at times, not to mention how long & tiring it was getting! When I left, I really missed those girls!!
Finally, some brainiac [KAY??] suggested that we meet half way, once-a-month in Port Huron! DUH! There were plenty of restaurants to choose from, some that even let us come back more than once, due to our usual displays of hysterical moments of rather uncontrollable laughter!
Recently [only a couple of months ago], we suddenly lost the first of our dearest members ~~~ it hit us all pretty hard; Kay & I got a chance to speak only for a few moments about that loss, & we never were able to finish sharing. Now with Kay's sudden passing, the grief is two-fold for the remaining three members~~~ we are so stunned at having lost another wonderful and Great Friend.....
Kay spoke so almighty highly of her grandson, Scott---whom she adored & he truly played such an integral part of love in her life [according to her he was "Perfect" --- and we Believed her! He did her proud & cemented her bragging rights! He truly was the 'Best"....at everything says Grandma!]. Her daughter, Sue the Nurse, [according to Kay] practically runs the entire hospital where she works. KUDOS to her as she is now the 'Family Matriarch'! Way to go Sue! [I'm my family's Matriarch - no comment---whoo!]
~~~ But the one Kay talked about the most was the 'Love of Her Life'~~~Jerry! Whenever we got together, she would share some kind of 'wonderful' that he had done for her! Be it a small or large deed, while telling us 'Jerry's latest' her eyes would just light up and her face beamed with the pride & absolute love that she shared with this man! Yes, we were jealous, but we were also happy that after her retirement, he still remained the 'Housekeeper Deluxe', making sure everything was done perfectly, always making Kay comfortable, in such serene surroundings.. That lady was so spoiled!! But I'm sure Jerry would agree, she earned it! Just don't touch his carefully folded towels, dammit!!
More importantly, she & Jerry were also very generous, helping family or friends who they saw needed a hand UP! It is a fitting tribute that they spread their well-earned love & their hard-earned wealth to many others!
Finally, Thank You Kay, for sharing with us -- the infamous 'Green Girls' --- the many years of your delightful presence, your sweet gifts at Birthdays & Holidays, & your best years of your life! [It was because of US!!...Ahahahaha...]. We are all the better for having had you in our 'little Club'!! You are sorely missed, dear lady!!
~~~Via con Dios, Kay!!
